Control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances. Seveso II

The Commission's amended proposal incorporates a number of amendments adopted by the European Parliament at second reading. The most important amendments seek to: - make more explicit provision for efficient cooperation with third countries outside the European Union (the UN/ECE convention on the cross-border consequences of industrial accidents is considered particularly relevant in this respect); - incorporate a more detailed text on pipelines; - strengthen the provisions in the common position on inspection systems; - introduce measures to train the authorities responsible for drafting external emergency plans; - take full account of "near misses" as major accidents; - cover certain installations used to stock chemical products, rather than just the manufacturing process; - make provision for consultation on the protection of residential areas and natural sensitive areas between the authorities responsible for town and country planning.�